Top picture: Essex in San Francisco in April, 1944 after her first refit, loading SB2C Helldiver aircraft.
Bottom picture: Port side rear view of CV-9's Island after her refit in San Francisco, April 15th, 1944. At this time, she had her dazzle pattern camouflage applied. The Essex was the only fleet carrier to carry this pattern, 6/D10. Before that she was painted in measure 21. The Essex also had her forward lower quad 40mm gun tub removed from the Island in order to extend the bridge. Dark smoke from stack appears as if she has just fired up her boilers.
Photos courtesy of Steve Whitby.